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ABSENTEEISM
It is the school’s legal responsibility to ensure that student absences are accounted for and valid.
From time to time a student might be absent from their educational
program. Parents must comply with their compulsory schooling or
compulsory participation obligation by providing a satisfactory reason for these absences. Absences for which a satisfactory reason has been provided are considered,and an absence for which a satisfactory
reason has not been provided is considered an unexplained absence. Processes are implemented when an unexplained absence persists for more than three (3) consecutive school days. When a student is absent on school days for any reason, the parent must comply with their obligation in respect to compulsory schooling.
NOTE: All absences must be followed up with a written letter of explanation to the class teacher for our school files. It is appreciated that all absences will be notified to the school office on the day or prior to the day/s absent.
ACCIDENTS
In the case of an accident, every endeavour is made to contact the
parents, hence our family record and emergency contact system.
Occasionally, it is impossible to contact anyone and in such cases the principal acts (in the place of parents) and decides what action should be taken.
It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the records held at the school are correct. Please send information relating to changed family details in writing immediately the changes occur.
ASSEMBLY
Whole school assembly is held at our school once a week. The agenda includes Active School Travel, Student of the Month, Sports reports and updates on school events and celebrations weekly class award recipients and updates on up and coming events. Please refer to the school website and the newsletter for times and locations. Assembly provides an atmosphere of celebration of the week’s activities.
ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING
Parents will receive regular information about their child’s achievements including:
· Twice yearly student reports which are written at the end of Semester 1 and 2 in an A, B, C, D, E format
· Reports will rate student achievement, effort and behaviour using a five-point scale and include teacher comments and number of days absent.
· Term 1 Parent interviews
· Term 2 Written Report
· Term 3 Parent interviews
· Term 4 Written Report
· Year 2 Net Reports are sent home after validation of Year 2 students that clearly present information about their child’s achievement against the rest of the state and the national literacy and numeracy benchmarks.
· Literacy and numeracy reports for Years 3, 5 and 7 students that clearly present information about their child’s achievement against the rest of the state and the national literacy and numeracy benchmarks.
Together this information will provide a comprehensive picture for parents to help them support their child’s education, and make informed decisions about where their child may need additional support.
ATTENDENCE, ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Regular attendance at school is essential so that the child can maximise the programs available. If there is a change in the child’s routine that will affect his/her attendance at school, please notify the staff.
Please ensure that your child is on time to school as lateness can stress young children and can disrupt the program that has already begun.
Commencement of Day: 8.30am
Conclusion of Day: 2.35pm
Once children arrive at school they will not be allowed to leave the school grounds unless parental permission has been obtained. This permission will usually be in the form of a written note signed and dated by the parent or caregiver.
Children should not arrive at school before 8.00am and should depart as quickly as possible after the completion of school. From time to time circumstances may cause exceptions to this rule.
ACCESS TO CLASSROOMS
In the interests of maintaining a high level of safety within the School grounds, any parent, friend or visitor coming into the School must report to the School Office before proceeding. This includes parents on regular rosters eg. classroom helpers, tuckshop volunteers and other school helpers. Visitors to the School will be issued with a Visitor’s Badge which should be returned upon leaving the School. Ex-students and friends of students do not have automatic access to the School grounds and should seek permission for access from the Office. Ex-students and friends of students who do not follow this procedure will be asked to leave the School grounds immediately.
Who do you see if...Person to contact
We look forward to open communication between staff and parents. Please feel free to discuss any concerns or issues with us as they arise. If you have any further needs you wish to discuss please make an appointment through the School office to speak to the Principal or Deputy Principal.
Classroom communication is usually by way of:
- Regular class news updates
- Weekly school newsletters
- Informal conversations
- Appointments
- Parent/Teacher interviews
- Our school website
- Email
- School Notice Board
ACCESS TO THE MAIN OFFICE
Parents are asked to conduct all business from the front counter and are asked not to enter the office work area unless specifically asked to do so by an office staff member or by the School Principal. The staffroom is the space used by teachers during their break times and for meetings. It is out of bounds to students unless permission is given by a staff member.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
Please refer to the Parents Guide to the Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students. This is a whole school document that is based on The Code of School Behaviour, The National Goals for Safe Schooling and Values Education.
CHAPLAINCY
From 2008 Sandgate State School will has had the support of a chaplain on a part time basis. The role of chaplain is designed to complement the welfare services and support our guidance and counselling services. The programs offered will be inclusive of all people and show respect for spiritual beliefs. Parents are encouraged to be part of the Local Chaplaincy Committee (LCC).
COMMUNICATION
Effective communication between home and the School is vital for the efficient running of Sandgate State School and for the maximum benefit to be gained by the students in our care. Please make appointments to speak to the relevant staff member if you have any issues, concerns or queries. Our focus is on the best outcomes for your child and we believe that by working together we can achieve this goal.
CONTACT WITH STUDENTS
Any messages or contact with students during the school day can be left with the office staff to be passed on to your child.
If your child requires a mobile phone for safety reasons before and after school hours, all mobiles MUST be handed into the office for the duration of the day and will be able to be collected again at 2.35pm. It is the child’s responsibility to remember to collect their phone at the end of the school day.
DATE OF BIRTH
It is an Education Queensland requirement that the school sights some proof of the child’s date of birth. This could be a birth certificate or extract, baptism or christening card, passport or hospital card.
DENTAL CLINIC
A dental clinic is situated in the grounds and a dental technician visits the school and children’s teeth are checked each year. Work is carried out at the discretion of parents.
ENROLMENT
Please complete the enrolment form and deliver it to the school as soon as possible. Children may be enrolled on the first day of school, but it would be a great help to have these enrolments in before the summer vacation to assist with classroom preparations.
If this is your child’s first year of school, here are some handy hints in readiness for a smooth beginning:
*Know his/her own name, address, telephone number and your name.
*Use “please”, “thank-you” and “excuse me”.
*Know what class any older brothers or sisters are in.
*Know his/her own clothes, school bag and other belongings (which should all be clearly marked with his/her name).
*Know how to use the toilet and wash his/her own hands.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Each year we offer a range of extracurricular activities for our students. These include School Choirs and Instrumental Band, Sports Aerobics as well as a range of other activities. A full list of extracurricular activities will be provided at the beginning of each term. For more information please see our school website or contact our office.
EXCURSIONS
During the year, teachers arrange excursions for classes and student groups. These are usually organised in conjunction with topics being studied in class. Parent helpers may be needed from time to time and in such circumstances parents are encouraged to participate wherever possible.
FAMILY INFORMATION DATABASE
The School operates a computer database which consists of data relevant within our School community. For each family, the information required includes:
Parent’s details
Children’s names and ages
Family address and telephone numbers
Emergency contact names and telephone numbers
Family doctor’s name, address and telephone number
Student’s medical history
A forwarding address of telephone number when a family or student leave
Information generated from the database is used by the administrative and teaching staff in determining what resources are needed in the school and to contact you in emergencies. Parents must notify the school in writing if their circumstances change to ensure we have the information needed to contact you in case of an emergency or to forward information.
Sandgate State School takes seriously its responsibility in maintaining and protecting the confidentiality of this database information.
FIRE DRILL/ EVACUATION/ LOCK DOWN
Procedures have been adopted which allow for speedy evacuation in cases of emergency and regular practice in these procedures is given. When using school facilities please familiarise yourself with evacuation documentation which is clearly displayed in all rooms.
HEADLICE
Headlice is an ongoing concern and affects many students. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that hair is checked regularly (at best twice a week). Parents will be notified by phone/letter if headlice is found in the hair of a student in class. We request that parents act promptly to prevent further infestation. There are many products on the market but the best and easiest may be ‘combing conditioner through the hair with a fine tooth comb’ on a regular basis. Please ask at the office if you require more assistance.
HOMEWORK
Our homework is designed to consolidate children’s classroom learning, pattern behaviour for lifelong learning beyond the classroom and involve family members in their learning. Teachers help establish a routine of regular, independent study by setting homework on a regular basis. They will discuss with parents and caregivers any developing problems concerning their child’s homework and suggest strategies to assist with their homework. Students take responsibility for their own learning by accepting responsibility for the completion of homework tasks within set time frames. They are to seek assistance when difficulties arise. They are meant to organise their time to manage home obligations, participation in physical activities, recreational and cultural activities.
Parents can help by reading to children, talking with them and involving them in tasks at home. They can help them to complete tasks by discussing key questions or by directing them to resources.
In the Prep year, generally students will not be set homework.
In Years 1, 2 & 3 set homework could be up to, but generally not more than 1 hour per week.
In Years 4 & 5 homework could be up to, but generally not more than 2 to 3 hours per week.
In Years 6 & 7 homework could be up to, but generally not more than 3 to 4 hours per week.
INFORMATION &
COMMUNICATON TECHNOLOGY
Schools are now educating a generation of students who are growing up in a digital world. As the use of ICT continues to grow globally, students will increasingly demand an education that embraces ICT. All children from Prep to Year 7 will use the computers with programs ranging from skill development through to word processing. We aim to make pupils aware of the value of computers and to feel confident in using them. All classrooms have access to computers and the internet. In addition, Sandgate State School has a computer lab with 26 computers that classes access on a regular/weekly basis.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM
In addition to the classroom music lessons, an Instrumental Music Program is offered to children in Years 5 to 7. Students have the opportunity to learn to play brass, woodwind or percussion instruments. Instruments are loaned to students for a period of time and a music specialist from Education Queensland provides instruction. The students are invited to attend and participate in various music festivals throughout the year to showcase what they have been learning. Students participating in the program are required to pay a levy to cover the costs of servicing the instruments, participating in competitions and purchasing sheet music to learn.
SUPPORT ENRICHMENT INTERVENTION
PROGRAM
Teachers have the assistance of a Support Teacher – Learning Difficulties and a Guidance Officer to help children with special learning needs to reach their potential. The SEIT Committee meets every fortnight to discuss referrals of students with support and enrichment needs. This includes learning difficulties, misbehaviour, health and safety concerns and general discussion including students identified for extension and enrichment. From this meeting a set of actions or response is activated. A range of trained support teacher aides are available to support the class teacher, small groups and individuals when needed. An Oral Language program supports students at the end of year 1. In the Middle Years students learning needs are targeted with specific programs ie: Fast Zone, SRA reading Labs. Enrichment support programs such as Reading Friends, science lessons at Nudgee Beach Environmental Centre, Music Camps and Choirs enrich the curriculum programs offered to all students.
LEAVING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS
Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the day unless they have a note from a parent or guardian requesting permission to leave the grounds. They must be signed out at the office prior to departure.
LOST PROPERTY
Please mark all items of clothing and equipment with your child’s name and class. Marked items are returned to owners. Unmarked items are placed in the lost property area. Parents and students may look here for lost articles. Unclaimed lost property is donated to a charitable organisation at the end of every term. Please check the newsletter for updates about location and items.
LOTE
Students at Sandgate State School have the opportunity to learn Languages Other Than English from years 5-7. Students from Prep to year 4 are exposed to a cultural awareness program at different times throughout the year. This is a compulsory curriculum area. At present our students study Japanese. Students are invited to attend the Multicultural Day held at participating high schools during the year.
MEDICATION
Should your child need to take prescribed medication during school hours, please complete a consent form available from the school office which includes the following information: name of child, medication, exact dose and measuring device, exact times to be given and all instructions that suit.
The medication should be in the original, labelled container or packaging. Non prescription medication such as panadol, cough mixture etc., cannot be administered at school.
MOBILE PHONES
Children are discouraged from bringing mobile phones to school. In those instances where parents choose for their child to have access to a mobile phone for use before or after school, the following procedures must be followed:
The student must leave the phone in the administration office on arrival at school before the school bell. The student collects the phone at the end of the day. Mobile phones must be switched off before being handed in to administration.
The student is not permitted to use the phone during school time; as necessary communication will be done through the school’s landline phone.
Parents contact the school through the normal channel of communication.
Any student identified with a mobile phone during school hours will have it confiscated and parents will be notified about the students failure to follow school procedures.
MONEY COLLECTION
From time to time money is collected for such things as Educational Experiences, Entertainment, Donations and Fundraising. No monies should be in classrooms. The money must be placed in an envelope and clearly marked with the child’s name and what the money is for and taken to the school office.
MUSIC
All students are expected to participate in music lessons. All students are invited to participate in School Choirs. There will be a Junior and Senior, Boys and Girls Choirs who meet every week to practice. The Vocal Group is a group of committed students who are invited by the music teacher to be part of this extension group. There are opportunities for our choirs to perform at assemblies, local community events, Songs by the Sea and for people living in local retirement homes.
NUT ALLERGY FRIENDLY SCHOOL
Some children are allergic to nut products. To minimise the risks to these children we are a ‘nut allergy friendly’ school and request that food containing nuts are not sent to school. We ask that you be vigilant in supporting this request as many foods contain nuts or traces of nuts. We will alert parents should this information change.
NEWSLETTER
A newsletter is issued each week and most messages to parents go home on the same day. It is sent home to the eldest child in the family. It is the responsibility of your child to bring the newsletter home each week. We encourage all parents to read this newsletter as it contains important messages and a calendar of up and coming events. The newsletter is also available on the school website and the Parent Community Board.
If you wish to receive this newsletter by email, contact the office staff for further information.
OUTSIDE SCHOOL CARE (JABIRU)
Jabiru conducts our outside school hours care on our school grounds. This service is offered to students from Prep to Year 7. Bookings are essential and need to be finalised a week in advance.
To enquire about OSHC or to address any issue about the service, parents should directly contact Jabiru on 3269 4086 or 3869 7136.
After School Care – Children are given afternoon tea, homework supervision and interesting games, crafts and activities between 2.30pm and 6.00pm. Enrolment forms are available from the office at Sandgate State School or at the OSHC facility.
Before School Care – Children are served breakfast and are involved in supervised activities until 8.25am.
Vacation Care – Vacation Care is run on school holidays and pupil free days if there are sufficient numbers.
PARENT/ CAREGIVERS INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL
It is the Parent/Caregiver’s responsibility to:
Read all information in the ‘School Prospectus’ so as to be familiar with our policies, routines and practices
Read and be familiar with the process and procedures of our school behaviour management expectations found in ‘The Responsible Code of Behaviour – Parent Handbook’
Comply with relevant health and hygiene policies
Participate in and support our programs eg Celebration Days, Assembly, Sports Day
Discuss concerns whether they be related to school or home issues with the class teacher
Notify the office staff of any changes relating to address, phone numbers and emergency contact phone numbers (see section on Enrolment)
PREP YEAR 2009
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Children from Year 1 to 7 receive religious education taken cooperatively by people from various denominations. Children attend the appropriate religious education class unless the school receives written notification from a parent to the contrary.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Sandgate State School provides a Special Education Program. The role of the Special Education Teacher is to provide support for students with a disability or special needs under Education Queensland Criteria in the following categories:
Intellectual Impairment
Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Hearing Impairment
Vision Impairment
Physical Impairment
This support will include:
Determining the level of need, designing the roster/timetable for support. Liaising with specialists, guidance officer, Advisory Visiting Teachers and other professionals when required.
Coordinating writing of Educational Adjustment Plans, Profiles and writing with the class teacher and parents the Individual Education Plan.
Working with other specialist support staff and teacher aides to provide appropriate support to enhance educational outcomes for identified students.
SPECIALIST TEACHERS
The following specialist personnel work in this school:
Music specialist, Instrumental Music instructor, Physical Education teacher, Teacher/Librarian, Learning Support teacher, Guidance Officer, Speech Therapist and ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher.
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